Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2013 – The sun has got his hat on

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 12 Jan 2013 No sign of overcast at first light, and that’s the way it stayed in Langkawi today. Boats left the marina at RLYC in bright sunshine, the breeze came in, and that’s the way it stayed. Inside-Bass-Harbour courses today, three windward-leewards for Racing, IRC 1 and Sportsboats, and two longer courses for the Cruisers, Ocean Rovers and Multihulls.

Despite being left stalled and stranded on the start line in today’s second race, HiFi scored 2,3,1 to lead the regatta with 12 points – allow for two last places tomorrow and discard one of them, and Neil Pryde has still won the Royal Langkawi International Regatta and the Prime Minister’s Cup for the first time after a long time waiting in the wings. After 11 years, the regatta only has four names on the top trophy – Peter Ahern (4 wins), Ray Roberts (5 wins), Marcus Blackmore (1 win) and now Neil Pryde. It’s the only one of the principal Asian events that Pryde has not won to date – ‘Maybe he’ll retire now?', suggested a HiFi crew member, but somehow we doubt it. So congratulations to the chaps in the red shirts, and compliments on their patience over the last few years.

Out on the water it was nothing less than a sparkling day. With Louie Perfectua on the wheel, Jelik attacked the start lines with plenty of panache, in the second race holding HiFi up to a standstill and then blasting away on the gun, along with the rest of the fleet, leaving Pryde & Co wallowing. Steve Manning was a happy man by the end of racing, having pushed the GPS43 Walawala to 3,1,2 results. 'I am sure we are not the only ones who enjoyed today,' he said. '10-12kts lets us get into a higher mode – never mind faster – and the crew really got on the programme. As smallest boat in the division we can easily get gassed at the start, and spend a lot of time playing catch-up. Today, with the extra pressure, we were able to sail our own races.'

With HiFi having stitched up the top spot, tomorrow Walawala be fighting Jelik for second place. 2 points separate the boats at close of business today.

Full results, all classes: www.langkawiregatta.com